Compound pulley hoisting apparatus and the reeving thereof



April H. T. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original- Filed Sept. 15, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet l April 1941- H. T. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 15, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

April 1941., H. T. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 15, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 1941- H. T. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 15, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 16 INVENTOR.

A ril 22, 1941. H. T. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF a Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Sept. 15, 1930 INVENTOR.

April 22, 1941. C L 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 15, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 April 22, 1941- H. 'r. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 15, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Draw Work:

4L|NE Mlo-Com-mem- 6L|NE MID'CONTINENT 8 Lms MID-CONTINENT Draw Work; 5. K! Slde W24 7?}; 25 10 LINE MID-CONTINENT 4 LINE LEFT HAND RIG MID'CONT'INENT April 1941- H. T. NICHOLS 2,239,493

COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Original Filed Sept. 15, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 (i/f Wfiee/ Beam 5/de flea/72 S/Je I 1y 1y II CALIFORNIA COMBINATION R16 00 CALIFORNIA COMBINATION RIG Draw Works Forye .S/Hz Draw Warks For-3e 5/66 g I O CJ/f W/zee/ 1965M S/dz I N V EN TOR.

CALIFORNIA COMBINATION R )6 Draw Mrrkx-fo/yz 54/2 Patented Apr. 22, 1941 COMPOUND PULLEY HOISTING APPARATUS AND THE REEVING THEREOF Harry Talmage Nichols, San Antonio, Tex., as-

signor to Charles A. Vance, Tustin calif.

Original application September 15, 1930, Serial No. 481,935. Divided and this application January 16, 1937, Serial No. 120,845

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a compound pulley hoisting apparatus and the reeving thereof, and this application is a division of my original application Serial No. 481,935, filed September 15, 1930 now Patent No. 2,067,942, dated January 19, 1937.

It has to do, particularly, with a compound pulley and a reeving structure therefor especially adapted for use in connection with the drilling of wells although it is not necessarily limited thereto.

"In the past the use of compound pulleys embodying fixed or standing block units, and running or traveling block units, with a multiplicity of .parts or plies of a hoisting line rove to the sheaves thereof has been subject to certain serious disadvantages, partly due to the manner of mounting the sheaves thereof with relation to each other and partly due to the reeving structures emanating from the relative position of the component sheaves to each other and utilized perforce in reeving the hoisting line therethrough.

One of these disadvantages has been the inability to obtain a balanced arrangement effective to ensure that the traveling block will not tilt during operation.

This tilting tendency is scarcely noticeable in the traveling block of a compound pulley embody ing a two-sheave traveling block, due to the proportionate rotational speed of the traveling block sheaves of two to one with four running parts rove and the standing part secured other than on the traveling block, and of five to three with five parts rove including the standing part secured to the traveling block, inherent when the block is rove with the parts of a line in direct sequence and is operated by a pulling force applied to the fall part of the line.

In the traveling block of a compound pulley embodying a three-sheave traveling block, however, when rove with the parts of a line in direct sequence from one outer traveling block sheave to an intermediate traveling block sheave and thence to a second outer traveling block sheave, and operated by a pulling force applied to the fall part of the .line, this tilting tendency is distinctly operative and correspondingly disadvantageous, due to thelgreater divergence in the proportionate rotationalspeed of the outer sheaves.

This disadvantage, which is cumulative in proportion to the number of sheaves thus rove, has, in al-lapparatuscomprising more than two sheaves in the traveling blockand which has been adaptable to and hitherto utilized in well drillingpractice, resulted in seriously retarding andinterfering with'the speed of drilling operations.

During certain phases of the drilling operations the traveling block is raised from a position adjacent to the floor of the derrick to a position adjacent to the top thereof without a load, and, conversely, during other phases of the operations it is lowered from the top of the derrick without a load.

It is when the traveling block is operated without a load, and particularly when it is being lowered without a load, that this disadvantage is most acutely experienced, it being necessary to restrict the speed of operation in order to prevent the traveling block from excessive swaying and even from capsizing and fouling the parts of the hoisting line extending from its sheaves.

Efiorts to correct this tilting tendency in the traveling blocks of apparatus hitherto utilized in drilling practice,by first reeving the outer sheaves of the traveling block, have resulted in the crossing of the parts of the line in sucha manner as to set up a destructive chafing between the parts rove and in producing a fleet angle between the rope grooves of the sheaves and the parts of the line extending therefrom destructive to both.

Another disadvantage is that in all compound pulley structures and methods of reeving, or reeving structures, heretofore utilized for the reeving of more than four running parts, the traveling block could not be made to hang in the center of the well, except when all of the compound pulley sheave members of both the crown and traveling block were fullyrove, without resorting to shifting of the, position of the crown block with respect to the center of the well, so as to unfairly load the derrick. 1

A further disadvantage has arisen from the fact that the structures and methods previously used result in excessive side diversion of the line from the rope grooves of the majority or all of the compound pulley sheaves.

Another disadvantage has arisen from the fact productive of excessive wear and tear upon the wire rope which is ordinarily used for this line.

Other disadvantages have been present in prior art structures, as will appear as this description progresses.

One of the objects of .this invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus embodying a compound pulley of such structure and so rove that a maximum balanced effect will be produced, so that tilting of the traveling block will be reduced to a minimum, and so that the said tilting tendency in a traveling block having three or more sheaves, when operated by a pulling force applied to one end of a single line, is not substantially greater than the tilting tendency inherent in a two-sheave traveling'block when so operated, irrespective of the number of sheaves, in excess of two, rove and operated.

Although hoisting apparatus has heretofore been utilized in industries other than oil well drilling in which the traveling block was effectively balanced, and in which the fleet angle of the parts of the flexible element rove, such as fiber ropes, chains, and wire hoisting cables, with respect to the sheaves from which they extend was effectively eliminated, and undue wear and tear on the element rove was absent, all such appanatus hitherto utilized lacked the requisite combination of factors in their structure and reeving which would permit the production of a reevin structure adaptable to, and suitable for incorporation into, well drilling practice, as developed during the evolution thereof to its present status,

For instance, apparatus and methods of reeving, or reeving structures, heretofore utilized, in which the factor of fleet angle was not harmfully prevalent and in which the traveling block was effectively balanced, contemplated and provided means only adaptable to be fully rove.

This is very undesirable in hoisting apparatus for use in well drilling, since, at the outset of the drilling operations, the load to be hoisted is relatively light, and speed of operation of the apparatus by reeving a minimum number of parts of the line between the crown block and the traveling block is the objective sought.

Another object of my invention is to provide a compound pulley apparatus and a reeving structure therefor in which a minimum of four running parts of the line may be rove and the apparatus operated with the traveling block effectively balanced and with all of the partsthen rove extending from the sheaves in substantial parallelism with the grooves thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure and a reeving therefor in which it is feasible and convenient to progressively reeve the apparatus as required in the progress of the drilling operation by adding other parts to the minimum of the parts which serve to initially reeve and balance the traveling block.

Still another objection to all previously known and utilized structures and methods of reeving, or reeving structures in hoisting apparatus, in which the traveling block operated in an effectively balanced condition and in which the flexible element rove between the fixed block and the traveling block extended from the sheaves in substantially parallel relation with respect to the grooves thereof, and a serious objection, is that the flexible element was either endless and, therefore, inadaptable to Well drilling practice, or the ends could not be fair led off from over sheaves in the fixed block (equivalent to the crown block) to winding drum means and to anchorage means as disposed in the various conditions existent in well drilling outfits.

These anchor means are sometimes disposed on the traveling block, sometimes on another winding drum, and sometimes consist of a base sill of the derrick structure or means attached thereto.

An object of my invention is to provide a hoistin apparatus of such structure and so rove that, when utilized in combination with the conventional well derrick and with the combinations of winding drums and anchorages utilized therein, whether it be rove with a minimum of four running parts of the compound pulley hoisting line, or rove with an intermediate number of parts of the line of more than four and less than the capacity of the compound pulley sheaves of the blocks, or fully rove, the ends of the hoisting line may always be fair led off from over standing block sheaves to the respective hoisting drums and anchorages below, the traveling block will always be effectively balanced and will always operate in the same pre-determined vertical path, and a majority or all of the parts of the hoisting line between the sheaves of the crown block and the sheaves of the traveling block will always be substantially parallel to the grooves of the sheaves from which they extend.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus embodying a compound pulley of such structure and so rove that excessive side diversion on the sheave members thereof will be substantially eliminated and that all excessive bending stresses in the line will be eliminated.

The foregoing exposition of the disadvantages of the constructions and methods of reeving heretofore utilized is substantially identical with the exposition of the same subject in my co-pending, allowed, applications for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 481,935, filed September 15,

1930, and Serial No, 215,059, filed August 24, 1927,

now Patents Nos. 2,067,942 and 2,068,638, respectively, dated January 19, 1937, and applies to all devices known and utilized before the invention which is the subject of my last said application and patent, the general objects of the present invention being substantially identical with the general objects of the inventions covered by the said applications and patents.

However, in conforming to the principles of the last above mentioned invention, I resorted to pivotally mounted sheaves in one or the other of the blocks of the apparatus in order to provide a structure in which the majority or all of the compound pulley sheave members in both the crown block and the traveling block might be of relatively large diameter and in order to utilize my reeving structure in such a manner as to effectively balance the traveling block, to obviate excessive fleet angle, or side diversion, of the running parts of the hoisting line between the blocks relative to the grooves of the sheaves from which they extend, and in order to fair lead the standing part and fall part of the hoisting line 011 from over compound pulley sheaves in the crown block to winding drums and anchorage means as disposed in practice in well drilling rigs.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely simplified hoisting apparatus of such structure and so rove that it will be feasible to have all of the compound pulley sheave members of large diameter inboth the crown block and traveling block, while at the same time providing means whereby a traveling block having more than two sheaves may be balanced and centered under all conditions of operation and regardless of the number of plies rove, which has hitherto been impossible in the art, without resorting to' a structure embodying pivoted sheaves in the apparatus. I r

Although, throughout the accompanying drawing, I have shown a traveling block with sheaves 'substantially smaller than those shown in the crown block, it will be obvious that the invention lends itself, without structural change or re-arrangement, to the utilization of sheaves in the traveling block equal in diameter to the parallel sheave members of the crown block.

In this connection, an important consideration with reference to this present invention, from an economic standpoint, is that it permits the utilization 'of sheaves of different diameters in the traveling block; and, consequently, enables the securing of the ultimate in service from partly used traveling blocks having relatively small sheaves and, when such blocks are discarded, enables the utilization of new traveling blocks having sheaves of large diameter.

Other objects of this invention will appear as this description progresses.

In order to clarify and qualify the meaning of some of the terms employed, which are believed to be peculiar to well drilling practice, it is desired to here define the sense of dead line and runningpant as applied herein to the com- 2 pound pulley hoisting line. I

Inthe original American standard cable-drilling rig, after the introduction of sheaves in the crown block thereof intended especially as compound pulley sheaves, commonly known in well practice as the casing sheaves, the standing part of the compound pulley hoisting line was usually and generally led on from over a compound pulley sheave in the crown block and secured to the traveling block, and the end of the 5 part so secured was known as the dead end.

When so secured, the standing part passes through the groove of but one rotating sheave,

i. e. through the groove of and over a sheave in the compound pulley sheave assembly in the crown 4Q block; however, all line parts move in either an up'or down direction.

In thelater American hydraulic rotary-drilling rig, the dead end was secured sometimes as in the practice in the standard cable-drilling rig; and again, sometimes, the dead end was led off from over a compound pulley sheave in the crown block and, instead of being secured to the traveling block structure, was anchored to a base sill of the well derrick structure, or otherwise securedindependently' of the traveling block.

Still later, with the advent of the combination standard cable-drilling-hydraulic rotary-drilling rig, the respective ends of the single hoisting line-employed in the operation of compound pulleys as utilized in well practice were each secured to individual winding drums, so that'one of said drums could preferably be used during the operation of the hydraulic rotary-drilling rigfwhile the other dru in an emergency, could be employed; particularly, to prevent the loss of the .drill stem of the rotary-drilling rig by stioking or freezing in the well during an enforced period of vertical immobility.

Under the last two specifically cited practices in well drilling a novel condition is produced:

The line part which extends off from over a sheave in the crown block and is the farthest line part extending between sheaves of the respective blocks from the fall part does not move per se in an up'an'd down direction, but is taken up and shortened, and, conversely, is let out and lengthened, from under a traveling block sheave, and is, therefore, throughout its extension be tween the crown and'tiavelin'g block, stationary.

This line part is, for this reason, in well practic'e called the dead line, and is in reality an extension of the standing part.

However, since this so-called dead line extends between a sheave in the standing block and a sheave in the running block it is, in the light of established terms, a running part, and is so referred to herein throughout.

To further clarify, it will here be noted that in the description to follow the reference numerals applied to the running parts of the hoisting line will in their numerical order indicate the natural sequence of the reeving which naturally and logically is counted from the end of the hoisting line which is not freed from drum or anchorage means when changing the number of running parts or plies employed, such as reeving additional running parts or for unreeving some of the running parts to reduce the number employed. The terms parts and plies are used synonymously herein throughout.

The preferred embodiment of my invention contemplates the reeving of a single hoisting line through the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and the traveling block to produce a reeving structure by means of which the traveling block is suspended in a cradle formed by two loops of the line which are opposite each other, the component parts of which extend from outer sheaves of the traveling block.

In either words, the traveling block is, in. effect, suspended from points on the peripheries of two of the parallel compound pulley standing block sheave members, and from opposed peripheral points on complemental compound pulley sheave means disposed in symmetrically oblique crosswise relation to a grooved edge face of the first said sheaves so that the traveling block is practically suspended from the four corners of the crown block, and the respective ends of the hoisting line each lead off from over a parallel 'compound pulley sheave in the crown block.

Furthermore, with my reeving structure the disposition of the hoisting line through the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and the traveling block is such that these cradle loops are formed by four running parts rove in direct sequence fro-m an end thereof, which are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sheaves from which they extend.

The result of this is that, whenever during the progress of the drilling operation it becomes necessary to reeve additional running parts of the line to the compound pulley sheave members, these additional plies will be rove to intermediate sheaves of the traveling block and will, in nowise, interfere with either the balanced effect, or the centered position of the traveling block originally created by my described method of reeving four running parts of the hoisting line from an end thereof to produce the said loops.

The compound pulley elements which I utilize in the preferred application of my invention comprise a crown block with a plurality of compound pulley standing block sheave members therein and a traveling block having more than two sheaves suspended there-beneath by a single hoisting line rove with a multiplicity of running parts between the said sheaves of the crown block and the sheaves of the traveling block.

Preferably, the crown block comprises a plurality of compound pulley sheave members of more than two in number and arranged in vertical planes in parallelism to each other.

'Thi's 'ciownblock also preferably comprises "a single compound pulley sheave member with a rigidly fixed mounting, which sheave member is disposed in a vertical plane symmetrically and obliquely crosswise of a grooved edge face of the said plurality of parallel sheaves in the crown block extending diagonal-wise thereof and in cooperative relation thereto.

This sheave is preferably located above the said plurality of parallel compound pulley sheave members.

Likewise, this obliquely disposed sheave is preferably so positioned that its vertical center is in a direct vertical line above the central vertical axis of the said plurality of parallel sheaves of the crown block and of the central vertical axis of the traveling block structure and is of such size that the running parts of a compound pulley hoisting line leading downwardly therefrom extenddownwardly to diagonally opposite corners of the traveling block, and being so spaced and positioned as toavoid fouling of the said running parts with both the parallel compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and their supporting means, as well as with the standard cable-drilling rig sheave means and the supporting means therefor, when these latter sheaves are utilized. Likewise, the location of this oblique sheave member is preferably such that the two running parts which extend downwardly therefrom are at equal distances from a vertical line passing through the central vertical axis of the traveling block.

In conjunction with the described compound pulley sheave assembly in the crown block structure, I preferably use a traveling block which comprises outer sheaves and one or more intermediate sheave members having their axes disposed in substantial parallelism with the axes .of the plurality of parallel compound pulley sheave members of the crown block.

With this structure of crown block and traveling block, 1 preferably reeve my compound pulley sheaves in such a way that the first four running parts from an end of the rope are rove to two of the parallel compound pulley sheaves and the obliquely disposed compound pulley sheave member of the crownblock and the sheaves of the traveling block in a manner to support the traveling block by two cradle loops which embrace outer, or cheek, sheaves of the traveling block.

Furthermore, though the running parts or plies in one pair of diagonally opposite corners of the traveling block are not necessarily spaced the same distances from the central vertical axis of the traveling block throughout their length as the plies in the other pair of diagonally opposite corners of the traveling block, the ply in each corner of the traveling block is spaced substantially the same distance throughout its length from the central vertical axis of the traveling block as the ply in the corner diagonally opposite it.

The result is that one pair of diagonally opposite plies is balanced against the other pair of diagonally opposite plies and that a balanced and centered traveling block is produced by the initial reeving of the first four running parts from an end of the line.

When this condition is produced, reeving of additional running parts to the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and traveling block can only be effected by reeving such additional running parts or plies to intermediate compound pulley sheaves of the traveling block and crown block and, consequently, this additional reeving cannot disturb the balanced condition, and centered position of the traveling block.

Furthermore, my reeving structure is such that the traveling block is not only balanced and centered as indicated above but the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and of the traveling block are so disposed with relation to each other that the majority or all the plies or parts of the hoisting line are in substantial parallelism with the sheave grooves from which they extend, and the majority or all of these plies or parts are maintained in a substantially perpendicular relation to the axes of the said sheaves.

This results in a hoisting apparatus wherein the traveling block is balanced and is centered under all conditions of operation without shifting the crown block, while the fleet angle of the parts of the line with respect to the majority or all of the sheaves from which they extend is such as to entirely obviate excessive side diversion and, consequently, wear upon the grooves of the sheaves and on the line rove is reduced to a minimum.

My invention is particularly important in connection with operations wherein at the beginning it is desirable to initially reeve a minimum of four running parts of the hoisting line to the compound pulley sheaves and to later during the operations add other running parts to the four initially rove, such as well drilling operations.

Therefore, my compound pulley sheave assembly in the crown block preferably comprises one or more sheaves in the plurality of parallel sheaves thereof additionally of the two which are utilized in combination with the fixed oblique- 1y disposed sheave member thereof to accomplish the initial 'reeving which balances and centers the traveling block.

In conjunction with this compound pulley sheave assembly in a crown block which has more than two parallel sheave members in combination with sheave means obliquely crosswise of them, I preferably use a traveling block having. more than two. sheaves suitably mounted to form a symmetrical structure and having pin means to support a becket on the lower end thereof.

The position of the traveling block when operatively rove is preferably such that the axes of all of the sheave members thereof are in parallelism with the axes of the plurality of parallel compound pulley sheave members of the crown block, and the oblique sheave means of the crown block is disposed in the same symmetrically and obliquely transverse relation to the sheave members of the traveling block as to the parallel compound pulley sheave members of the crown block.

Another aspect of my invention consists in the fact, that the compound pulley standing block unit and the supporting structure therefor in 'my novel crown block is so constructed that it may at will and withthe greatest ease, using the same vertical spacing means, be assembled to conform to either the practice of arranging a combination standard cable-drilling-hydraulic rotary-drilling rig with winding drums and anchorage means (or points) to receive the end of the fall part and the end of the standing part of the line of the compound pulley hoisting apparatus on adjacent sides of the base of the derrick structure, or to the practice of arranging said winding drums and anchorage means on opposite sides of said base,

o d r to, fa litate the fa r e d n f h a l par d he sta din par th rope Off from over compound pulley sheaves in the crown block, to winding; drum means and anchor means below, I may, if desired, provide an idler-pulley as a supplement to my novel compound pulley standing block unit in the crown block,

A still further feature of my invention consists of the provision of adjustable and detachable means for vertically spacing and supporting the compound pulley sheave members of the crown block and their supporting means per se a substantial distance above the level of the water-table beams of the derrick, whichmeans is of such a structure that a substantially increased amount of head-room for the operation of the traveling block is provided while, at the same time, I am enabled, whenever it is desirable, to utilize the conventional standard cable-drilling rigsimple pulley rope sheaves which may, at will, be, introduced into the space thus created between the lower extremities of the compound pulley sheave assembly of the crown block; and the tops of the, water table beams of the derrick or remoyed therefrom independently of the vertical spacing means, and the support: ing means per se oi the first named sheaves, including the idler fair leader pulley and its supporting means.

These standard cable drilling sheaves, as is well known in the art, comprise a drilling line sheave over which the drilling line carrying the percussion drilling tools of the standard cabledrilling rig operates, the actuating winding drum being known as the bull wheels in this rig.

This drillingline sheave ofthe standard cabledrilling rig is referred to by several difierent names, such as the crown sheave, the drilling sheave, the spudding sheave. and the derrick pulley. i l

The standard cableedrilling rig sheaves also comprise a sand sheave over which the sand line of the rig operates.

Normally, in the operation of the standard cable-drilling rig, a bailer, or sand pump, for the removal of the cuttings and mud accumulating in the well during thedrilling operation, is attached to one end of the sand line, while the other, end thereof is attached to the sand reel of the rig, which is a winding drum for the actuation of this line.

These standard cable-drilling rig sheaves, which are merely simple pulleys, are disposed so that their peripheral grooves are adjacent to, or coincidentv with, the central plane of the well derrick between the ladder and forge sides thereof, and they are conventionally mounted between the same pair of beams which are usually and normally disposed directly on the water ta-. ble beams of the. derrick.

Moreover, these standard cable-drilling rig sheaves are disposed radially of a central point which is adjacent to, or coincident with, the central vertical axis of the, derrick so that line parts leading off from points on their grooved perip eries a f l nto t e Well ere and that other line parts leading off from points on their groovedperipheries diametrically opposed to the first said points extend in the case of the drilling line, downwardly inside the, derrick structure to the shatt of the bull wheels upon which it is wound, while the sand line extends downwardly outside the derrick on the walking beam side thereof to the sand reel upon which it is spooled.

Sometimes, the sand line is freed from the bailer and utilized for relatively light, miscellaneous hoisting duty, while, in the organization of the work in some combination drilling rigs, the drilling line sheave is utilized for the cat line of the rotary drilling rig.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts, and wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a hoisting apparatus embodying my .novel compound pulley and reeving structure applied with vertical spacing apparatus to a typical right hand steel oil well derrick wherein the calf wheel and rotary draw works are located on opposite sides of the derrick.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hoisting apparatus, embodying my novel compound pulley and reeving structure applied with vertical spacing apparatus to a typical right hand steel oil well derrick wherein the calf wheel and rotary draw works are on adjacent sides of the derrick,

Figure 3 is a perspective View, with parts broken away, of a typical steel oil well derrick with my novel crown block structure, embodying my novel compoundpulley standing block unit and vertical spacing apparatus therefor, together with my novelly supported standard cabledrilling rig sheaves installed at the conventional level, mounted thereon to conform to the well drilling rig practice wherein the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line lead downwardly off from over sheaves in the crown block to points on the opposite sides of the derrick base.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of my novel standard cable-drilling rig sheave supporting means which is designed to be removably applied to the structure shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a, detail, in perspective, illustrating the structure of the leg members for supporting the oblique sheave member of the compound pulley unit of the, crown block and the means for bracing the said legs from the parallel compound pulley sheave assembly structure.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 3, with parts broken away.

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figures, 3 and 6 and looking from the right of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an end elevation of my crown block structure with the obliquely crosswise sheave removed and showing the parallel sheaves of the compound pulley unit of the crown block and the novelly supported standard cable-drilling rig sheaves.

Figure 9- is a detail, in perspective, illustrating the disassembled parts of one of. the means which I have utilized to render possible the pivotal swinging of the base beam members of the vertical spacing apparatus, which support struts to ultimately support the compound pulley standing block unit of, the crown block above the level of the water table beams of aderrick.

Figure 10 is a detail in side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a sideelevation of the top of a typical steel oil well derrick which terminates in a pair of water table beams showing the beam members of my vertical spacingapparatus which are connected thereto by the pivotal means of Figures 9 and 10, these beam members being shown swunglto clearance position.

Figure 12 is a plan view showing the beam plates assembled to por e Parallel sheaves of the compound pulley standing block unit of the crown block with rope guards which at the same time function as beam plate stilfeners mounted on the tops thereof and disposed facing the rope grooves of the sheaves, and also showing a grooved edge face of the parallel compound pulley standing block sheaves.

Figure 13 is a section taken on line l3-l3 of Figure 12, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 14 is a detail, in perspective, of antifriction means for facilitating rotary adjustment of the preferred supporting means for my oblique sheave member.

Figure 15 is a view in end elevation illustrating one form of my novel beam and bearing structure for supporting the standard cabledrilling rig sheaves under the practice in which the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line are led to opposite sides of the derrick base.

Figure 16 is a detail, in perspective, of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a perspective View partially broken away illustrating my novel compound pulley standing block unit mounted on the top of a typical steel oil well derrick and rove righthandedly in conjunction with a traveling block for use where the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line are led to opposite sides of the derrick base, and showing the increased head room provided above the level of the tops of the water table beams of a derrick for the traveling block.

Figure 18 is a, perspective view illustrating my crown block in position for use on a derrick wherein the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line lead to adjacent sides of the derrick base, this figure illustrating one position of the idler fair leader pulley.

Figure 18a is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line l8a--l8a, of

Figure 20, and illustrating a clamping structure which I preferably utilize to secure an idler fair leader in different operative positions.

Figure 19 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 18.

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 18, looking from the left of Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, illustrating the compound pulley sheave members of my invention rove with four running parts of the-hoisting line for use according to Mid-Continent practice, that is, the practice wherein the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line are led to opposite sides of the derrick base.

Figure '22 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, illustrating the compound pulley sheave members shown in Figure 21 rove with six running parts of the hoisting line.

Figure 23 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, illustrating the compound pulley sheave members shown in Figure 21 rove with eight running parts of the hoisting line.

Figure 24 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, illustrating the compound pulley sheave members shown in Figure 21 rove with ten running parts of the hoisting line. 7

Figure 25 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, illustrating my invention adapted to left hand rig conditions for Mid-Continent practice, wherein the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line lead to opposite sides of the derrick base, with four running parts of the hoisting line rove thereto.

Figure 26 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the compound pulley sheave members of my invention with a supplementary idler fair leader pulley for use in California combination rig practice wherein the ends of the compound pulley hoisting line lead to adjacent sides of the derrick, four running parts of the line being shown rove.

Figure 27 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the compound pulley sheave structure of my invention for use in California combination rig practice and illustrating the idler fair leader pulley adjusted to a different position from that shown in Figure 26, with siX running parts of the hoisting line rove thereto, the freed end of the line in this reeving leading to the calf wheel on the beam side of the derrick base, instead of to the draw works on the forge side of the derrick as shown in Figure 26.

Figure 28 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the compound pulley sheaves of my invention for use in California combination rig practice with four running parts rove, wherein the idler fair leader pulley is positioned on the same side of the derrick, as in Figure 26, but adjacent a different corner thereof and cooperating with the parallel sheave thereof nearest the calf wheel instead of the parallel sheave thereof farthest therefrom as in Figure 26.

That type of structure wherein the calf wheel and the rotary draw works are located on opposite sides of the base of the derrick, to wit, on the walking beam and bull wheel sides thereof, is generally referred to in the art as Mid-Continent practice and will hereinafter be thus referred to. Therefore, this term will be used in connection with the structure shown and described in Figuresl, 3,4, 6, 7, 8 and 17.

That type of structure wherein the calf wheel and the rotary draw works are located on adjacent sides of the base of the derrick, to wit, on the walking beam and forge sides thereof, is generally referred to in the art as California combination rig practice.

This term will be used in connection with Figures 2, 18, 19, and 20.

In the drawings, with particular reference to Figures 1 and 3 to 17, inclusive, I have shown my novel compound pulley standing block unit embodied in a crown block structure mounted upon a typical steel oil well derrick, supplemented nated 29, the calf wheel 2| and the rotary draw works 22.

The upper ends of the derrick legs are designed to support water-table beams 23 and 24 which constitute the horizontal head of the derrick and which may be of usual form.

My novel standing block structure, either with or without the vertical spacing apparatus which I preferably use in combination therewith, is designed to be ultimately carried and supported by a pair of water table beams such as 23 and 24.

The parallel sheave assembly of my novel compound pulley standing block, together with the supporting beam assembly, per se, in my novel crown block structure is designed to be elevated into operative position substantially as a unit, and it is preferably mounted upon spaced pairs of transverse beams 2526 and 21-48, but may be mounted directly on the water table beams 23 and 24.

The beams 25-25 are preferably slightly spacedapart and secured together by end flange plates29, While the beams 21-48. are likewise slightly spaced apart and secured together by end flange plates 39, as is best shown in Figure of the drawings.

These pairs of transverse base members -26, and 2l-28, are adapted to be mounted upon the Water table beams 23 and 24 of a well derrick in different definitely spaced relations to each other, dependent upon the relation in which it is desired to assemble the parallel sheave members of the compound pulley standing block unit of the crown block with respect to the water table beams of the derrick, i. e., parallel to, or crosswise to, the water table beams.

These transverse beam members of the vertical spacing apparatus are attached to the water table beams by means of pivoted arms 3 l.

Each pivoted arm 3| is provided at one extremity with vertical flanges 32 having slots 33 formed horizontally therein for the reception of bolts 34 which are designed to extend through the two webs of each pair of beams, being held therein by means of nuts 35, as is best shown in Figure 10.

Each of these arms 3| is provided with pairs of slots extending longitudinally thereof, an inner pair 35 and an outer pair 31, as is best shown in Figure 9.

The slots 35 are adapted for the reception of upstanding stud bolts 38 threaded for the reception of nuts 39.

These stud bolts 38 are rigidly carried from the upper flat surfaces 40 of barrel members 4| which are joined together by a strip 42 to form one'half of a hinged structure.

The other half of this hinged structure is formed by a barrel 43 having an upper fiat surface 44 and an outer vertical fiat surface 45.

This barrel member 43 is rigidly supported upon a horizontally disposed U-shaped member 46 having side members 41 and 48 which are adapted to be disposed on either side of each of the webs of the water table beams 23 and 24.

The hinge is connected by the pin 43a which extends through the barrel members 4| and 43.

These members 4'! and 43 are provided with threaded apertures 49 through which pass screw bolts 50, which latter terminate in reduced unthreaded portions 50a to pass throughthe holes 5|a. in the plates 5|, which are slightly larger than the said unthreaded portion 50a to allow easy manipulation, and to receive the unt'hreaded rings 50b which may be riveted or otherwise secured thereon, to form a swivelingv connection with the plates 5!.

These bolts 50 may be adjusted to cause the plates 5| to firmly grip the webs of the water table beams 23 and 24.

The slots 3'! of the member 3! are adapted for the reception of bolts 52 having their upper ends threaded for the reception of nuts 53, and having their lower ends hook-shaped, as at 54, to embrace flanges of the water table beams 23 and 24.

The adjustment of the spaced pairs of transverse beams 25-26 and 2'l-28 to or from each other is definitely limited and determined.

The means which I preferably utilize for effecting this limitation of movement of said spaced pairs of beams comprises a downwardly extending lug 55 on the outermost end of each arm 3|, and a set screw, or bolt, 56 threaded through this downwardly extending lug for ultimate abutment with the flat surface 45 on each member 43 of the hinged. structure. 1

Thus, when this set screw orbolt is once props. erly set in. position on each of the arms3'l, the adjustment of each of these arms, and, consequently, of each pair of transverse beams, is defie nitely and accurately stopped at the desired posi--v tion.

Theoperation of this mechanism in the course of assembling my novel crown block structure will be explained hereinafter in the description of the assembly thereof on a typical oil well derrick.

I have conceived that, for several reasons, it is highly desirable that the compound pulley standing block unit in an oil well derrick crown block be so constructed and spaced above the water table beams of a derrick as to make available, at will, for different uses a substantialamount of space between lower extremities of the former and the tops of the latter.

For one thing, the inevitable variations which occur in the lengths of drill pipe sections render it highly desirable that the upper portion of the traveling block may be raised to a level higher than the tops of the Water-table beams in order to accommodate the longer stands composed, in practice, with a factor of working clearance and safety.

The additional head room, so provided, for the operation of the traveling block will serve to prolong the usefulness of derricks which would otherwise be obsolete and require replacement by the next taller size in the series of standardized derricks now prevalent.

For another thing, in the use of rotary Well drilling equipment, it frequently becomes desirable to utilize standard cable-drilling rig sheaves.

To facilitate these operations, I have provided a spacing structure which has, at least, two important functions:

For one thing, it spaces the compound pulley standing block unit of the crown block a sufiicient distance above the water table so as to permitthe traveling block to be raised to a position wherein its upper end extremity is above the level of the tops of the water table beams,;as illustrated in Figure 1'7, thereby increasing the head room available for the operation of the traveling block, and, consequently, the safe, effective range of operation of the latter.

For another thing, my novel structure permits and facilitates the introduction and/or removal of the simple pulley standard cable-drilling rig sheaves and the supporting means therefor, immediately beneath the compound pulley standing block unit of the crown block, without disassembling any part of the supporting means of the latter, or without unreeving the parts or plies. of the compound pulley hoisting line therefrom.

It is an important advantage of my novel crown block structure that the compound pulley sheave and beam assembly, and the idler fair leader pulley, when the latter is utilized in conjunction. with the vertical spacing apparatus which I preferably provide therefor, always constitute a complete operative unit, under all conditions of assembly and'operation; and, that in no case, either of assembly, reeving, or operation, is

,. by the compound pulley supporting structure per se is requisite to the proper'functiom'ng of either ofthe standard cable-drilling rig sheaves.

Another important advantage of my novel crown block structure is the provision of means to attach or detach, at will, a sheave supporting structure for the standard cable-drilling rig sheaves, including a sand sheave and a standard cable-drilling drilling line sheave, suspended beneath a compound pulley standing block unit, this feature being especially desirable when it is desired to mount the supporting beams, per se, of a compound pulley standing block unit directly on the horizontal head of a well derrick.

The spacing means which I preferably utilize for supporting the compound pulley sheave assembly of the crown block and supporting structure thereof, a substantial distance above the water table beams comprises struts 51; two of these struts being mounted on each pair of transverse beams 25--26 and 2l'-28, and each of which struts 51 is adjustable to and from the longitudinal center of said beams, for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

These struts are secured to the pairs of transverse base beams 26 and 21-48 by means of slotted lugs 58 formed on their bases, as shown in Figure 3, and bolts 59 having heads disposed between the spaced units of each pair of transverse base beams, as best shown at 60 in Figure 8.

It will be seen that these heads are formed to have interfitting relation with the beveled interior surfaces of the upper flanges of these transverse base beams and that the shanks 6 l, of these bolts, project upwardly between the edges of the flanges of said base beams 2526 and 2128 and thence upwardly through the slots of the lugs 58 on the base of each strut.

Nuts 62, adapted to be threaded onto the shanks Bl of the bolts 59 to clamp the struts firmly in position upon these base beams, are provided.

The struts 51 are of somewhat eccentric form, in the sense that their upper ends are nearer the center line between the spaced pairs of .transverse beams 2528 and 2'!2-8 than their lower ends.

Thus, as shown in Figure 8, the lower edges 64 of these struts are further removed from a vertical central plane between these spaced pairs of beams than the upper edges 65 thereof,

This insures that the running parts of the hoisting line extending downwardly from the fixed oblique sheave member of the compound pulley sheave assembly of the crown block, to be described, will have adequate clearance and will not foul against the inner edges of the pairs of base beams of the vertical spacing apparatus.

However, if desired, guarding rollers may be provided to further guard the parts of the compound pulley hoisting line against fouling these beams under all conditions of operation, even though the traveling block should be attached to a load eccentric to the well.

The upper ends of the struts 5'! are of T-shape construction as shown at 66 in Figure 3.

The structure is such that the load imposed upon these struts by the base beams 10 and 1| of the compound pulley standing block unit is distributed thereto over a surface of unusual area.

Furthermore, the T-shape construction of the upper ends of these struts will permit of the ready assembly of the parallel sheave assembly unit of the compound pulley standing block unit of the crown block in a position at right angles to the positienin which it is shown mounted in Figure 3,

where the parallel sheaves are disposed crosswise to the water table beams, it being understood that the position of these parallel sheave members upon the derrick as shown in Figure 3 represents the position which I preferably utilize in Mid- Continent practice; while, for California combination rig practice, the parallel compound pulley sheaves are assembled in a position at right angles to that position, i. e., with their plane face sides in parallelism with the water table beams of the derrick, as shown in Figures 2, 18, 19 and 20.

In this connection, it will be noted that bolt holes 61 are provided so that this supported structure, to be described, may be readily secured to the struts in either assembly.

The compound pulley standing block unit is preferably constructed with two base supporting beams 10 and ll which are designed either to be supported directly on the water table beams, or to be bolted by means of bolts 12 and the nuts 12a to the upper ends of the struts 51, when they are used with my vertical spacing structure,

These beams 70 and H are held apart and secured together by means of a plurality of beam spreaders such as is designated by the numeral 13; these beam spreaders, as is shown, being welded at their ends to the beams 10 and H, and additional bracing eifect being secured by the provision of wing plates 14 upon the beam spreaders, which latter are Welded both to the spreader and to the beam.

The beam spreaders 13, although shown without a joint along their length, may be provided with one or more flanged joints therealong to facilitate disassembling into lighter and smaller units for packing for shipment, or for field transportation under diflicult circumstances ofttimes ob- .taining in oil fields. This would not entail the sacrifice of rigidity.

The beam spreaders 13 have portions, as at Ba-13a, devoid of angles capable of causing injury to a snubbing rope when same is paid out therefrom, constituting snubbing post or bitt means for hitting a snubbing rope, and they are further provided with centering lug members 15 which serve to center the bight or vertex of a snubbing rope which may be snubbed or bitted on the portions 13a during the hoisting of the parallel sheave assembly of the compound pulley standing block unit of the crown block into operative position on a derrick, in a manner that will be more fully described hereinafter.

The structural features of the preferred form of the compound pulley standing block unit of my crown block further comprise intermediate transverse beams 16 and T! which are spaced apart and secured together at their lower ends by means of angle irons 18.

The part of this unit which embodies the plurality of parallel sheaves, and which is best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, is so constructed that ears formed on the ends of the supporting beam plates thereof project over and are supported by and upon the upper flanges of these intermediate transverse beams 16 and 11.

This construction produces a more than adequate support for the beam plate assembly shown in Figure 4.

The beam plate assembly shown detached in Figure 4, and incorporated in Figures 3, 6, 8, 12 and 13, comprises a plurality of spaced bea plates 19 which are designed to be spaced apart at their ends by spacer blocks 80, best shown in Figures 6 and 8.

The outer beam plates 19 have, welded thereto,

steam channel members 8! having flanges 82 and 83.

The flanges 83 are cut. off adjacent their ends so that these channel members may be supplemented by castings 84, as best seen in Figures 12 and 13.

These castings 84 are welded to the channel members 8| and are made with an opening at 85, so that ready access may be had to the nuts 86a (Figures 6 and 8) of the bolts 86 for the proper manipulation thereof.

The castings 84 are further provided with apertures 81 in alignment with the apertures 88 in the channel members and these apertures 88 in the channel membersiare also in alignment with the apertures 89 in. the outer beam plates and the intermediate beam plates which permit the ready insertion and removal of the bolts 86,

The bolts 86 thus serve to hold the beam plates I9 and channels 8I, and the separator elements 80 together as a unit, and the castings 84, being welded to the channel members, also form an in tegral part of this assembly.

The assembly as a'whole is secured to the intermediate transverse beams 16 and 11 by means of bolts 90 and 9 I, as in Figures 7 and 8.

It will be noted that the plates 19 are each provided at either of their ends with projecting ears 19a, Figures 4 and 13, the lower edges of which rest upon the upper flanges of the intermediate transverse beams I6 and I1.

Likewise, the bottom surfaces of the castings 84 rest upon these beams 16 and TI and are secured thereto by the bolts 90 and 9i, as described.

Attached to this structure are a pair of leg members at either side of the assembly of parallel sheave members.

As llustrated in Figures 5, these legs, which may be designated 92 and'93, are supported at their lower ends upon the angle irons 18 and are secured thereto by means of angles 94 and 95.

Secured to angle irons I8, preferably by welding, at about their longitudinal center, are plates 18a (Figure 5), which extend inwardly to be secured to the outer members of the set of beam plates 18, belowthe shaft Ill, by means of the bolts 18b and the nuts I80, which bolts are passed through the apertures 18d in the plate 18a and the apertures in the bracket members 19b which project outwardly from the outer beamplates l9, as shown in Figure 3. p I

This construction effectively ties the angles I8 to the mass of the parallel-sheave assembly in a manner to insure that the load received from the legs 92 and 93 does not operate to distort these angles I8 outwardly.

These legs 92 and 93 are braced intermediate their length by a cross piece 96.

At their upper ends, they are tied'together by means of channel members 91 which are disposed:

with their flanges inwardly turned and which are secured, preferably by welding, to the inner surfaces of the angles which form these legs.

In addition, the upper ends of these legs are capped by plates 98 and 89 secured thereto which are apertured to permit the passage of bolts through them. Likewise, the upper flanges of the channel members 91 have, superimposed thereon and secured thereto plates I00, which are likewise apertured for the passage ofbolts through them.

Adjacent'the upper ends of these legs; 92 and 83, are provided inwardly extending wing plates IOI, which are riveted to the legs, and which are adapted to project into the space between'the flanges 82 and 83 of the channel members 8|.

' Adjacent their inner ends these inwardly projecting wing plates IOI are provided with bolts I02 for connecting them with angle members I03 secured to the channel members 8| as at I 04. The bolts I02 pass through vertical slots I05 in the outstanding legs of the angles I03.

The. beam plate assembly which contains and supports the parallel compound pulley sheave members is provided'with a plurality of rope guards.

One pair of these rope guards comprise units I86 disposed parallel with the inner sides of the webs of the intermediate transverse beams I6 and 11 and substantially parallel to the axes of the parallel sheaves and, substantially in the same horizontal plane therewith, as best seen in Figures 3 and 8.

The ends of each of these units I06 are provided with flanges I01 so that they may be secured to the outer beam plates of the group of beam plates I9, the bolts used to so secure these rope guardsbeing designed to extend through apertures I08 in bracket members I09, which are riveted to the outer beam plates, as at H0, and which are adapted to be bolted to the webs of the intermediate transverse beams 16 and I1, by means of bolts passing through the apertures I I I of. these brackets, these bolts being indicated at I I2 inlFigure 3.

The other pair of rope guards II3, Figures 3 and8, serve not only as rope guards, but they also serve as beam stiffeners for thebeam plates 19 between which the parallel sheave members are supported.

Two of these rope guards, which at the same time function as beam stiffeners, are preferably provided and,.as shown'in Figures 3 and 8, they aremounted upon the tops of the beam: plates I9, one on either side of the axes of the parallel compound pulley sheave members. Each of these stiffeners H3 is bolted at its'end extremities to theupper flanges 83 of the channel members 8|.

Each of these rope'guards I I3, which also functi'onas beam stiffeners, is preferably made of cast steel and so formed that its under surface is provided with alternate rope grooves and slots or sockets.

The'rope grooves thereof are designated I I4 and are so located that each rope groove bears a superposed relation to the rope groove of a sheave memher when the guard is functioning as a beam stiffener for the beam plates I9.

The slots II5 which are formed in the lower surfaces of the guards are milled to embrace and closely fit the tops of the intermediate beamplates between which sheave members are supported.

The outer plates of the group I9 abut against milled shoulders I I Soon the guard member.

If desired, tapered bolts may be utilized for securing these rope guards to the upper flanges 83 of the channel members 8I to secure an accurate spacing for the outer'beam plates, with respect to the intermediate plates adjacent to them, and to bind all of the plates"!!! together to form an unusually stiff and rigid set of beam plates.

The parallel compound pulley sheave members are designated I I6 and each of these sheave memhers is located between. a pair of the beam plates I9. I I

These sheave members are of. comparatively large diameter in that they extend almost'across the space between the edges ofithe water table beams of the derrick.

They are all preferably mounted upon coincidentaxes'; in this instance, by means of a shalt 'I I! which passes through them and is secured in position inthe plates I9 by means of nuts II 8 upon the ends thereof.

Each sheave member I I 6 is supported from the shaft I I! by a roller bearing sleeve I I9, as shown in Figure 12.

Each roller bearing sleeve H9 is of slightly greater length than the hub of the sheave which it supports so that the tightening of the nuts II8 on the ends of the shaft III may be effected without causing any pair of beam plates to be brought into binding relation with the sheave between them.

Thus these sleeves II9 serve also as spacing and stiffening units between the plates I9.

An important element in combination with the plurality of sheave members H6 is the obliquely transverse sheave I44 which is, in the preferred form of this invention, supported above the structure just described. I

The base supporting member for this obliquely transverse sheave is designated I2I and takes the form of a rectangular plate with a circular opening of substantial size formed therein and provided with adequate reinforcing webs throughout.

This rectangular plate is mounted upon and secured to the plates 93, 99 and III!) on the leg structure 92 and 93, by means of bolts I23 and the nuts I24.

Both the plate I2I, the legs 92 and 93, and the structure associated therewith, are further braced against swaying by the blocks I bolted to the upper flanges 83 of the channel members Bil and abutting the sides of the plate I2 I.

Seated in the circular opening in the rectangular plate I2I, is a cone structure I25 which is provided with diametrically opposite slots I25a in which the obliquely transverse sheave is adapted to rotate.

This conical supporting member is provided with a flange I26 on its base which is also provided with a downwardly extending annular shoulder I21 for projecting downwardly into the circular opening in the plate I2I. In concentric relation to this shoulder, the base flange of the conical .member rests on a circular seat I28,

' This conical member is normally held in fixed position upon its seat by means of bolts I29 which pass through the rectangular plate I2I from beneath-and which are threaded at their upper ends for the reception of nuts I3I).

However, under certain conditions, it becomes desirable to adjust the angular relation of the obliquely disposed sheave I44 to the set of parallel sheaves I I6.

In order to facilitate this adjustment, I have provided roller means upon the conical member which may be rendered operative at the desired time.

This roller means preferably comprises a plurality of levers I3I which are fulcrumed in upstanding spaced lugs I32, as at I33, formed on the base of the conical member, as best seen in Figure 14.

Each of these levers I3I is provided with a bifurcated end I34 in which is mounted a roller I 35.. This roller I35 is normally disposed with its lower side within an opening I36 through the flange I26 of the conical supporting member.

The other end of each lever I3I is provided with an enlargement I31 having a threaded aperture therethrough for the reception of a screw bolt I38 the lower end I39 of which bears upon the upper surface of the flange I26, said lower end I39 being rounded to facilitate suchmovement thereof as may be necessary during the adjustment of this bolt, thereby preventing the formation of a grooved seat which would interfere with its proper functioning.

In operation of this structure to bring about an adjustment of the conical member I25, the bolts 'I29 are removed and the bolts I38 are manipulated so as to cause the rollers I to pass downwardly through the openings I36 and to elevate the conical member so that it will be sup ported upon its seat by these rollers I35.

When this position is attained, the conical member may be rotated to any desired position of adjustment, lowered by reverse manipulation of the bolts I33, and the bolts I29 again utilized to fix this conical member in its-adjusted position; suitable bolt holes being present in the structuregto facilitate this operation.

Theupper end of the conical member I25 is provided with flanges I to which are adapted to be bolted a plurality of semi-circular plates I4I having upstanding members I42 which form bearings to support a shaft or trunnions I43 upon which rotates the obliquely transverse sheave The intermediate transverse beams I6 and TI, together with all of the parts which they support, and the legs 92 and 93 which support the oblique sheave member of the compound pulley standing block unit, are adjustable as a unit along the base beams I0 and II by means of adjusting bolts I45 which are secured to the webs of these intermediate transverse beams I6 and 1! at the four corners of the assembly.

The bolts I45 extend through apertures in fixed bracket members I46, and adjustment of the assembly is effected by means of nuts I41 which engage the sides of the vertical limb of the brackets I46. These bracket members are preferably bolted, as at I48, to the upper flanges of the base beams I0 andlI.

A means for securing these parts for operation'is provided in the form of bolts I49 extending upwardly through the outer, upper flanges of the base beams I6 and II, which bolts project through slots I50 in the horizontal legs of the angle members I3.

The angle members 94 and. 95, to which the legs 92 and 93 are bolted, are further provided with extensions I52 which are apertured for the reception ofhook bolts I 53 which are designed to hook under the inner, upper: flanges of the base beams I0 and I I, and pass upwardly through said aperture in extensions I52 and be secured by nuts on their upper ends.

The means for supporting standard cable-drilling rig sheaves which I preferab1y utilize will vary in accordance with whether or not they are being used in Mid-Continent practice or in California combination rig practice.-

Likewise, in the Mid-Continent practice, the means will slightly vary, dependent upon whether or not the vertical spacing means is utilized with the'novel compound pulley'standing block unit of my invention.

The structure which 1 preferably use to support the standard cable-drilling rig sheaves for Mid-Continent practice is shownbest in Figures 3, 4, 7, 8, 15 and 16.

In this form shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, it will be noted that the standard cable-drilling rig sheaves are supported by a suspended basket structure. 3 a

Furthermore, in Figures '1 and s, it will be seen,

that this basket structure hangs entirely within the opposing sets of plies which lead from the sheave members of the crown block to the sheave members of the traveling block.

The basket structure preferably comprises four pairs'of strap members I54, the upper ends of each pair being riveted, as at I55, to opposing sides of one of the plates 19, preferably adjacent the ends of such plates.

At their lower ends, these pairs of straps are adapted to receive complemental straps I60 attached to beams upon which sheave bearing means are supported.

Where the vertical spacing structure embodying the struts 51 is not utilized with the compound pulley standing 'block unit, four substitute strap members I56 are used intermediate the upper straps I54 and the lower straps I60, as best seen in Figure 4, to insure that the standard cable-drilling rig sheaves will be spaced a sufficient distance below the parallel compound pulley sheave members to avoid interference of the sand line of the standard cable-drilling rig with the water table beams of the derrick, particularly the bottom of such beams.

These four substitute extension straps I56 are designed to have their upper ends pass into the space between lower ends of the units of the pairs of strap members I54 and to be bolted thereto as at I51.

Intermediate their lengths these straps are braced by cross pieces I58 which may be bolted thereto.

The lower ends of these substitute extension straps I56 are bifurcated, as at I59, for the reception of supporting straps I60 which interfit the ends of such bifurcations and are bolted thereto as at I6I.

These lower, upwardly extending, strap members I60 are inwardly bent adjacent their lower ends and permanently secured to spaced beams I62 formed of rolled stock which are designed to receive and support bearing means for supporting the means upon which the standard cab1e-dri11ing rig sheave members rotate.

As illustrated best in Figure 15, these bearing members I63 are adjustable along the beams I62 and may be securely and rigidly fixed at any desired position therealong so that the standard cable-drilling rig sheaves may be given any selected position with relation to the well being drilled.

In order to produce a structure which, although adjustable, will be amply rigid when once placed in assembled position, the bearings I63 are provided with grooves I64 which straddle and closely fit the upper edges of the beams I62.

These bearing members I63 are each provided with an elongated leg member I65 which extends downwardly between the inner surfaces of the beams I62, and which are provided upon their lower. ends with threaded bolt holes I66.

Complemental to these bearings and particularly to the legs I65 thereof is a bottom truss bar I61 which is provided with grooves I68 for the reception of the lower edges of the beams I62, and which is also provided with bolt holes through which project cap screws I69. These cap screws I69 project upwardly and are threaded into the threaded bolt holes I66. 7

The structure issuch that tightening of the cap screws I69 will result in drawing the bottom truss bar I61 upwardlyso as to clamp the beams I62 between the bearings I63 and this bottom truss bar I61, this being effected, after adjustment,'to insur that the bearings I63 will remain in a fixed position upon the beams I62, and that a rigid structure will result. 6

The rigidity of this structure is further enhanced by the fact that the bearing members are of one piece construction, and that the shafts I630, for the sheave members project through beyond the outer upper sides of the bearing members I63 and that the shafts I63a are cut away as at I10 to form a seat for the reception of rectangular bars I1I, which are designed to be secured in the said seat I10 on the bearing members I63 by means of bolts I12.

Thus, the drilling line sheave I13 and the sand sheave I13a are maintainedin the proper rotatable position while, at the same time, the shafts and the clamping structures just describedproduces, in effect, an uppertruss bar construction.

The result is that, when once a sheave member has been adjusted to the desired position and clamped therein by the mechanism just described, there is formed a rigid construction which is trussed both above and below.

Beams I62 are further provided with formations I14 which extend for a substantial distance along their outer surfaces to form lips or flangeswhich are preferably integrally formed therewith.

These lips or flanges I14 project into elongated sockets I15 in the truss bar I61 which is slid onto them from an end, and serve to prevent the bottom trussbar from dropping away from its associated parts during the introduction of the cap screws I 69, thus contributing to safety in a drilling rig.

When the standard cable-drilling rig sheave supporting mechanism is to be used in an assembly in which the beams 10 and H are spaced above the water table beams, as by theuse of the struts 51, and their'supporting beams 25-46 and 21-28, the structure shown in Figure 4 is utilized without the substitute straps I56.

The apparatus is used in this manner in the structure shown in Figure 3.

When assembling the mechanism as shown in which are provided at their inner ends with eyes that interfit with eye-bolts I11, carried by the beams I62 adjacent the ends thereof.

The outer ends of the links I16 may be connected to the derrick legs when the structure is used with the extension substitute straps I56.

When this structure is used without the straps I56, as in Figure 3, the outer ends of these links I16 are connected to the. brackets I18 which are secured to the transverse base beams 26 and 21,

and which. project obliquely therefrom.

The "reeving of the hoisting line through the various sheaves of the compound pulley will be described more in detail later.

t'ions in comparatively close proximity 'to the inner flanges of the base beams 27 and 2B, and,

tricity with the well.

Under these conditions it is desirable to provide a means for preventing the harmful effect of frictional contact between these beams and the line.

The means which I preferably utilize comprises a roller I7 9 which is carried by a bracket I80 clamped to the lower flange of each of the cross beams 26 and 27.

This bracket I80 preferably comprises a clamping element I 8| which is held upon the main portion of the bracket by bolts I82. The inner end of themain portion of the bracket is provided with upwardly turned legs I83 carrying journals for the support of the roller I79 therea between. The upper extremities of these legs are joined by a cross bar I85.

These rollers may also be adapted to be mounted and function on the beams 70 and II of the compound pulley standing block unit when this latter is utilized without a vertical spacing means.

The structure just described is such that these rollers may be individually moved to any desired position along either set of the beams upon which they are mounted,

Thus, they may be adjusted to bring them. into proper position upon their supporting beams to protect the plies or parts of rope extending downwardly from the oblique sheave I44, regardless of the assembly utilized.

When my compound pulley structure is applied to derricks operating under the so-called California combination rig practice, wherein the calf wheel and rotary draw works are located upon adjacent sides of the derrick base, the structure used is substantially the same as that thus far described.

Howeven'there are certain important exceptions.

One exception arises from the fact that the novel compound pulley standing block and its supporting structure per se, embodying the beams 70 and II as its base beams, and everything carried thereby is assembled in a position at an angle of 90 degrees from the position shown in Figures 1, 3, 6, '7, 8 and 17.

In this position, these base beams are in parallelisrn with the water table beams 23 and 24, instead of being at right angles thereto as they are in Mid-Continent practice.

They are shown assembled in this position in Figures 2, 18, 19 and 20. Likewise, the traveling block is suspended in a position at right angles to the position in which it hangs in Mid-Continent practice.

By comparing Figure 20 of the drawings, which is a view in side elevation of the assembly for Californiacombination rig practice, with Figure '7, which is a view in side elevation of the assembly for Mid-Continent practice, it will be seen that in the difierent assemblies the struts 57 and the base beams -26 and 27-28, are differently disposed with respect to the longitudinal centers of the beams upon which they are respectively supported.

r In the assemblyshown in Figure '7, the struts 57 are disposed so that their bottom flanges overlap the vertical planes of the water table beams 23 and 24 of the derrick, which results in each strut of the pairs of them being a relatively greater distance from the longitudinal center of the pair of base beams which support them, and from each other, with a consequently greater over-all width of their upper flanges, taken together, along the length of the base beams.

In Figure 8, it will be noted that the relation of the pairs of base beams 25-26, and 27-28 to the longitudinal centers of the water table beams which support them is, in the assembly for Mid- Continent practice, governed by the width of the base of the compound pulley standing block structural unit, or, in other words, the distance from vertical center to vertical center of the beams and 71.

In the assembly shown in Figure 20, the width of the base of the compound pulley standin block structural unit governs, not the relation of the pairs of beams 25-26 and 27-28 with respect to the longitudinal centers of the water table beams 23 and 24 of the derrick; but, the relation of the individual struts with respect to the longitudinal centers of the base beams 25-26 and 27-28 which support the pairs of them.

Consequently, in this assembly, the struts 57 are relatively closer to the longitudinal centers of the beams 25-26 and 27-28; relatively closer to each other taken along the length of said beams; have a relatively less over-all width of their upper flanges taken together therealong; and, their lower flanges donot overlap the vertical planes of the water table beams of the derrick, but lie wholly between the vertical planes co-incident with the latter;

In practice, for a California combination rig assembly, the base beams 25-26 and 27-28 of the vertical spacing apparatus are preferably disposed closely adjacent to the corners of the derrick top, and when so disposed the outer lines thereof and the outer lines of the water table beams 23 and 24 of the derrick form the sides of a ilbstantia'lly equi-lateral rectangle, as in Figure In practice, for a Mid-Continent assembly, these base beams 25-26 and 27-28 of the vertical spacing apparatus are appreciably closer to the longitudinal centers of the water table beams 23 and 24 of the derrick than in the California combination rig assembly, as will be noted by reference to Figure 6, wherein the outer lines of these base beams 25-26 and 27-28 form the long sides of an oblong, and wherein the outer lines of the water table beams of the derrick form the short sides or ends of the said oblong.

In order to provide for these different assemblies, as well as to produce a structure of less weight than would otherwise be necessary, the structure and securing means which I provide in and for these struts 57 is such that they are adapted to each be assembled in relatively difi'erent positions with respect to the longitudinal centers of the base beams 25-26 and 27-28 which support them, whereby the distance between the units of the pairs of them, taken along the length of the said base beams, may be varied to conform to the corners of the oblong base of the compound pulley standing block unit which they support, whether the said oblong base be assembled with its long sides parallel to the base beams 25-26 and 27-28 or crosswise to them.

Likewise, the structure and attaching means 

